It’s time for the first edition of “Metal in…” for this year. Last year’s collections were mostly on the black side of the metal spectrum and though this one does feature a black metal band, it’s mostly genres that don’t often appear on the Vortex. The rest of the month is also packed with promising releases from all over the extreme music cosmos. 2020 has been packed with interesting releases so far and the next months show no sign of stopping. So let’s get to it.
Loathe – I Let It in and It Took Everything
Hailing from the UK, Loathe come out with their second album I Let It in and It Took Everything. This band is currently selling out venues in the UK with their throwback sound. Imagine Car Bomb meets The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza with a big helping of Deftones and you got the idea. From the heavy bloodboil of the opening tracks to the alternative-focussed second half of the album. Loathe deliver a sophomore effort that inspires nostalgia and headbanging alike.
Godthrymm – Reflections
Yet more noteworthy metal is coming from the UK in this month. Though the musical scenery is a very different one for Godthrymm. Featuring doom veterans from both My Dying Bride and Solstice, Godthrymm conjure theatrical and epic doom on their debut album, Reflections. With pounding drums, Warning-style guitar melodies and the low roar of vocalist Hamish Hamilton Glencross, Godthrymm deliver one of the best doom albums in recent years.
Turia – Degen van Licht
In the meantime, the mainland isn’t sleeping either. From the fertile dutch scene come Turia with their third album Degen van Licht, dedicated to the french and italian alps. In recent years, bands like Fluisteraars, Nusquama, Iskandr and Turia have been shaping the sound of the dutch black metal scene. No surprise, since they are all part of the Haeresis Noviomagi collective and share some of their members. While the drums drive the music with a strict pace, the guitars and vocals are heavily reverbed and distant. Like this, Turia excel in weaving a grand and dense atmosphere as they make another contribution to a thriving scene.